Finding a one piece full set is basically the final boss of anime collecting. You’d think it would be easy. You just go online, click a button, and a giant box of Eiichiro Oda’s life work shows up at your door, right? Not exactly. Most people start this journey thinking they'll just grab everything in one go, but then they realize they’re looking at over 100 volumes of manga, or thousands of episodes, or a figure collection that costs more than a used Honda Civic. It's a lot.
Honestly, the term "full set" means different things depending on who you ask. For some, it’s the manga box sets. For others, it’s the entire run of Wano Country arc figures. If you aren't careful, you’ll end up with a mismatched shelf that looks like a chaotic bargain bin instead of a curated tribute to the Straw Hat Pirates.
The Manga Box Set Strategy
If you want a one piece full set of the manga, the box sets are the only way to go without losing your mind. Buying individual volumes is a nightmare. You’ll spend more on shipping than the actual books. Plus, the box sets come with little extras like posters and booklets that you just can't get elsewhere.
There are currently four main box sets. Box Set 1 covers the East Blue and Baroque Works sagas. It's where everything starts. Box Set 2 takes you through Skypiea and Enies Lobby. Box Set 3 is the massive stretch from Thriller Bark to the end of the first half of the series. Box Set 4 finally gets us into the New World, covering Dressrosa through Wano.
But here’s the thing most people get wrong: these sets go out of stock constantly. You’ll see them on Amazon or RightStuf (now Crunchyroll Store) one day, and the next, they’re gone for six months. Scalpers love these things. If you see Box Set 3 for under $180, you grab it. Don't "think about it." Just buy it. I’ve seen people wait a week only to see the price jump to $450 because of a temporary shortage.
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Why the Anime Home Release is a Different Beast
Collecting the anime is way harder than the manga. If you’re looking for a one piece full set of Blu-rays or DVDs, prepare for a headache. Toei Animation and Funimation (now merged under Sony/Crunchyroll) have released these in "Collections" and "Voyages."
The "Collections" are usually the better deal. They bundle about 25-30 episodes together. But even then, we are talking about over 50 individual DVD sets to get the whole story. It takes up a massive amount of physical space. Some fans prefer the "Collection" sets because the spine art lines up and looks decent on a shelf, but let’s be real: physical media for an 1100+ episode show is a massive commitment.
Some collectors hunt for the original Japanese releases or the "Log Collections." These are gorgeous. They have high-end art and specialized packaging. However, they are expensive imports and often lack English subtitles. You’re buying those for the aesthetic, not for a casual rewatch.
The Figure Collecting Trap
Now, if you’re talking about a one piece full set of figures, you need to define your limits immediately. Are you talking about the Grandline Men series? The Portrait of Pirates (P.O.P) line? Or maybe the WFC (World Collectable Figure) miniatures?
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The P.O.P. line by MegaHouse is the gold standard. They are detailed, huge, and incredibly expensive. Trying to get a "full set" of P.O.P. figures is basically a down payment on a house. Most collectors stick to the "Sailing Again" or "Maximum" sub-lines.
If you want a full crew without going broke, the Ichiban Kuji sets are your best bet. These are lottery-style figures from Japan that often come out in themed "sets." For example, during the Raid on Onigashima, they released a full set of the Straw Hats in their raid gear. These look great together because they are scaled to each other. Nothing looks worse than a 10-inch Luffy standing next to a 4-inch Zoro.
Spotting the Fakes
This is where it gets dangerous. The market for a one piece full set is flooded with bootlegs. If you see a listing on eBay or AliExpress for a "Full Set of 10 Straw Hat Figures" for $40, it’s fake. Guaranteed.
Real figures have specific stickers on the box—usually a Toei Animation sticker with a cat logo. The color of the sticker (silver, gold, green) often tells you which market it was intended for. Bootlegs usually have "dead" eyes, sloppy paint lines on the hair, and a weird chemical smell that stays in the room for days.
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With manga, "fake" sets are rarer, but keep an eye out for "misprints." Some early printings of the manga box sets had issues with the spine alignment. If you’re a perfectionist, ask the seller for photos of the actual boxes, not just stock images.
Storage and Display Realities
Let’s talk about the weight. A one piece full set of manga (all four boxes) weighs a ton. Standard IKEA Billy bookcases are the go-to for most collectors, but even those can sag over time under the weight of 100+ volumes. You want to distribute the weight. Put the heavy box sets on the bottom shelf.
Lighting is another thing. Direct sunlight will kill your collection. It bleaches the spines of the books and turns your vibrant figures into pale ghosts. Use UV-protectant film on your windows or keep the collection in a room with LED lighting.
Making a Choice That Lasts
Don't try to buy everything at once. The "completionist" itch is real, but One Piece is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with the manga box sets if you want the story. Start with the "Film Red" or "Wano" figure lines if you want the look.
Actionable Steps for Your Collection:
- Check the ISBNs: Before buying a "manga set" on second-hand sites, verify the ISBNs match the official box sets to ensure you aren't getting a bunch of random ex-library copies shoved into a cardboard box.
- Verify the Toei Sticker: If buying figures, always ask for a photo of the top of the box to see the holographic Toei sticker. No sticker, no deal.
- Track Prices: Use sites like CamelCamelCamel to track the price history of the manga box sets on Amazon. They fluctuate wildly, and you can save $50 just by waiting a week.
- Prioritize the Crew: If you're building a figure set, buy the less popular characters first (like Brook or Franky). Luffy and Zoro figures are always being made, but once a specific Brook figure sells out, the price triples because fewer were manufactured.
- Join a Community: Subreddits like r/OnePieceCollectors are great for verifying if a listing is a scam or a legitimate find.
Getting a one piece full set is a journey that mirrors the series itself. It takes time, a bit of luck, and a lot of planning. Whether it's the books, the discs, or the statues, the goal is to have a collection that actually makes you happy when you look at it.